Benh Zeitlin Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Benh Zeitlin, born on October 14, 1982, in New York City, is an American filmmaker, composer, and animator renowned for his distinctive storytelling and visual style. Raised in Sunnyside, Queens, and later in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, he was immersed in a creative environment fostered by his parents, folklorists Mary Amanda Dargan and Steven Joel Zeitlin, founders of the nonprofit cultural organization City Lore. This upbringing instilled in him a deep appreciation for storytelling and folk traditions. Zeitlin's passion for filmmaking ignited early; at just six years old, he and a friend crafted a Batman movie, marking the beginning of his journey in cinema. He continued to explore this interest throughout his youth, eventually enrolling at Wesleyan University, where he majored in film. During his time there, he co-founded the independent filmmaking collective Court 13 in 2004, named after a neglected squash court they repurposed as a filming location. After graduating, Zeitlin ventured to Prague to collaborate with a prominent animation artist, further honing his craft. Upon returning to the United States, he worked at a private school in Manhattan, assisting elementary students in creating short films. His directorial debut, the short film Egg (2005), showcased his early talent and set the stage for future projects. In 2012, Zeitlin gained widespread acclaim with his first feature film, Beasts of the Southern Wild. The film earned four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture, and won the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. His ability to weave fantasy with realism, coupled with his unique visual storytelling, has left an indelible mark on independent cinema. Beyond directing, Zeitlin is a skilled composer, often scoring his own films. He continues to push creative boundaries, collaborating with emerging filmmakers through the Court 13 collective, and remains dedicated to crafting stories that resonate deeply with audiences.